Music classes in schools not up to par

I refer to the letter, “Our choirs can be among the best” (The Star, Jan 2) from Kerry J. I would like to say that “our choir is among the best”. That choir is none other than our own home-grown award-winning Operafest Children’s Choir.  

The choir has won numerous awards and citations from its travels abroad. It has performed with some of the best choirs in the world including the Vienna Boys’ Choir twice. 

The choir has made Malaysia famous and received standing ovations touring Argentina, Wales, England, India, Singapore, Australia, USA, Greece, Macedonia, Spain and Holland. 

Operafest has been around for 20 years, yet only a handful of people know of its existence.  

It is because the choir excels that its members are given VIP treatment wherever they travel. They meet with ambassadors, governors and are even given keys to various cities. 

In terms of choral singing, I believe Operafest has proven it is on par with global standards.  

All other Malaysian choirs should take note of its achievements and push to better themselves by gaining more exposure by travelling abroad.  

In our continued push to become a developed nation, the Education Ministry should look into re-introducing music as a subject in schools. 

The current music classes in primary schools are minimal and lacking in depth and, in most secondary schools, music classes are completely non-existent.  

Parents who can afford it send their children to private tutors or centres to have at least some sort of musical grounding. What about those who can’t? 

If the Government can provide proper music education in all schools, it would not be long before we have our own Mozart.  

Music provides creative stimulation and helps the spoonfed kids of today to think outside the box. 

We should not stress so much on academic results but rather on producing a cultured and well-rounded younger generation.  

Peng-San  

Petaling Jaya, Selangor